Pages: 352
Series: Play by Play #13
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Also in this series: Rules of Contact, Shot on Gold
Also by this author: Rules of Contact, Shot on Gold, Hot to the Touch, Ignite on Contact
Goodreads
In the new Play-by-Play novel by the New York Times bestselling author of Rules of Contact, a star quarterback is torn between his love of the game—and the woman who may be the love of his life.
Nathan Riley is ready to follow in the footsteps of his famous football player father. He’s been drafted as quarterback for his dad’s former team, and his sports future is bright. When his friend Mia Cassidy moves to the same city, their years-long friendship suddenly sparks hot, reminding him of the one night they had together in college that he can never forget.
Like Nathan, Mia is from a sports dynasty family and embarking on an incredible new career—as founder of her own sports management company. Her friendship with Nathan means everything to her, and tossing sex into the mix again could jeopardize it all. But the chemistry between them has always sizzled, and it isn’t long before Mia realizes she wants more with Nathan than just late-night talks and pizza.
Passion has a funny way of changing the rules, and soon Nathan and Mia realize that to win it all, they’ll have to make an unexpected play for love.
The Final Score brings together lots of series favorites as the children of 2 previous Play by Play couples find love! Nate is the son of the couple from book 1, and Mia is the daughter of the couple from book 9. Its not necessary to read all the previous books (I haven’t read them all!) but previous characters do appear so just know that going into the story!
Nate and Mia have a second chance love story. They had a 1 night fling in college. Mia wanted to forget it; Nate agreed but it wasn’t his idea. Now, years later, they are in the same town and Nate isn’t sure he wants to keep their friendship ‘hands off’. He is the new QB for the Sabers (taking over for his dad!) and she is starting a sports management company.
Nate and Mia have a believable friendship. They really enjoy each others company and honestly have a good friendship. Its easy to see why Mia wouldn’t want to ruin that. Also, these two are in very high pressure situations! Mia is trying to get her company off the ground and Nate is starting on a new team and taking over his famous father’s position! To say they are under pressure is a huge understatement.
Like most of Burton’s books, there is a lot of sexual tension, dirty talk, and smoking hot interactions. Nate and Mia, being the best of friends, really do have wonderful chemistry and a great rapport with each other that makes their relationship feel natural and easy (you know, when they aren’t fighting it with the whole “I just wanna be friends” thing”).
If you are a fan of the series, this book is the perfect culmination of the years you have loved all these characters! If you are new, The Final Score will introduce you to some wonderful characters that might just make you want to check out the previous books! I love that the books are all connected in some way but span over different sports! I think it helps keep things interesting while not dumping a reader into a totally different ‘world’ or series. If you like sports romance in general and aren’t sport specific, you will love Play by Play. Baseball, Football, Hockey, its all there!
The next book in the series goes back to the hockey players! I am not going to lie though, I was a little confused that there would be another book after a book called “The Final Score”….
- POV: 3rd
- Tears: no
- Trope: friends to lovers, football
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
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Pipe Dreams by Sarina Bowen, The Hot Shot by Kristen Callihan, Roman by Sawyer Bennett…then you will probably like The Final Score!
I totally thought this was the last book too! I was excited when I saw it would feature Mick’s son, and am glad to hear that as a fan, I should enjoy it. I really liked all but one of the books, and even that one was ok.
I am so glad that you decided to pick this one up here and that is was such a good one as well. I do love this author, but need to play catch up. I do love her covers.